Environmental News

News of interest to us East of the River. Where available links are provided to source publications for full story.

Voters Approve Land Preservation Funding

Voters in Glastonbury and Ellington approved land preservation funding in the November 6 elections.

Just as they did in 1988, 2001, 2003 and 2004, Glastonbury voters overwhelmingly approved funding to purchase open space. Now, Town Manager RICHARD J. JOHNSON and the town council will have up to $4 million added to a fund that has helped the town acquire more than 1,200 acres to date. Voter approval only gives the council authorization to appropriate the money. No land is purchased or debt issued until a specific purchase has been approved by the council.

In Ellington voters overwhelmingly passed a referendum allowing the town to appropriate $2 million to buy development rights to preserve local farmland and support local farms.

Glastonbury To Buy Green Vehicles

Glastonbury Town Manager RICHARD J. JOHNSON announced in September that the town planned to buy four hybrid and natural-gas-powered vehicles to add to its fleet. Two year ago, the town bought and successfully integrated its first two hybrids. In doing so the town takes advantage of a state DOT program that helps towns buy vehicles powered by alterative fuels. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program pays the difference in price between the regular gasoline-powered vehicles and the more expensive alternative fuel models.

Plans also call for installing a natural gas fueling station at the Riverfront Community Center. The station would be installed off the building's natural gas line and would be the first in town. (From a 9/4/07 The Hartford Courant article)

UUS:East Expanding While Reducing Environmental Impact

The Unitarian-Universalist Society: East, already one of 50 churches nationwide to have a certified "green sanctuary" for its energy efficiency and environment-conscious preaching, is taking an even bigger step in 2008. The Manchester congregation will be adding on two new wings to its West Vernon Street meeting house, nearly doubling its size to 1,600 square feet - but using solar and geothermal energy and other technology to shrink the size of its carbon-energy footprint.

Unitarians are a liberal religious community welcoming congregants from other religious traditions, such as Catholicism, Judaism, and Protestant denominations; some are Buddhists, Pagans, theists, and atheists. Many holistic people find a spiritual home here.

» Go to full Journal Inquirer story

Vernon Looking At Green Energy Options

The August 7 Vernon Town Council meeting discussed energy saving measures such as solar panels and hybrid vehicles. JEFFREY BOULRICE, a member of an environmental committee promoting "20 percent by 2010 Clean energy Campaign," was invite by Mayor ELLEN L. MARMER to present a program that would have town buildings partially powered by solar energy. By committing to get 20 percent of a town's energy from renewable sources by 2010, a town can qualify for a free solar energy system valued at $10,000.

Manchester Expanding Its Recycling Program

Manchester is expanding its recycling program. Residents may now include the following in their green recycling bins: junk mail including paper envelopes (including ones with plastic windows), flyers, office paper, computer paper, coupons, brochures, magazines, catalogs, stationary, and bills. Also fiberboard containers, i.e. cereal boxes (remove bag), pasta, cake, frozen food boxes, shoe and gift boxes.

» Complete Sanitation Dept. details